The Miami way isn't the only way to an NBA title

It won't be a national love-fest for the Heat if Miami wins the NBA title tonight, or if it takes another game or two to accomplish the feat. The fact remains that some basketball fans were so turned off by the choice of free agents LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join Dwyane Wade in Miami to form their Big Three, that a diminished value would be placed on them winning the championship.

Free-agent superstars, or pending free-agent superstars, choosing to play together is part of life in the NBA, as normal nowadays as a crossover dribble. And if other star players see it pay off - and I'm guessing every NBA player makes time to watch the Finals - then they certainly are going to consider taking a similar route in pursuit of the trophy.

Is it a shortcut? No, not if you've played for one franchise for six or seven years, can't attract "star" free agents to join you, can't depend on the front office to draft decent help and know that your franchise is drifting farther away from championship contention.

The consideration that it's a shortcut mostly seems to have gained momentum now that players choose to join forces.

As long as franchises and general managers ran things and pulled the strings, it was called "shrewd," "smart" and "genius." Whatever.

All I know is that it's one way to win, but it's not the only way. And that's the beauty of these Finals, that we have proof that reaching the highest level has another route.

Even if Oklahoma City doesn't win - and no team ever has recovered from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals - the Thunder blueprint is just as encouraging for franchises as the Miami model might be attractive for players.

The Thunder almost totally are home grown. OKC's top four players - Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Serge Ibaka - all are draft picks and none currently are older than 23. If the players remain healthy and can maintain their chemistry - and if one or two is willing to settle for a little less than market value from time to time - then the Thunder could be title contenders for the next eight to 10 years.

Every franchise has one of those two options. No need for fans to carry a lingering grudge over the team that has the resources to pursue the former just because their preference is the latter.

Miami, with its stars, likely will win the title its way. But the OKC way can be just as effective.